Abstract:
A method for printing an object using a high power one-dimensional (1D) line laser imager for selective laser sintering of thermal plastics. The technique is a two-step process. First, a layer of fresh powder is deposited on top of an existing powder bed. Second, the powder is sintered with the line laser print head. The laser is modulated at the source or with a spatial light modulator. Multiple passes or imagers can be used for increased part width and productivity. Using the relative travel between energy receiving surface and the laser print head in the direction perpendicular to the laser imaging line, a 2D pattern is imaged. Multiple print head can be aligned and joined to form a wider laser print head.
Abstract:
An inkjet printer is configured with capping stations for storing printheads in the printer during periods of printer inactivity so the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles of the inkjets of the printheads does not increase significantly. Each capping station has a printhead receptacle that encloses a volume, a planar member configured to move between a first position at which the planar member is located within the printhead receptacle and a second position at which the planar member is external of the printhead receptacle, a first actuator operatively connected to the planar member, the first actuator being configured to move the planar member from the first position to the second position, and a controller configured to operate the first actuator to move the planar member from the first position to the second position to mate the planar member with a face of a printhead.
Abstract:
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for applying an image shear to correct a digital image-paper registration error are disclosed. For example, the method, performed by a processor of a printing device, includes detecting an amount of skew of a paper traveling through a registration system of a printing device, determining that the amount of skew is greater than a predefined threshold, applying an image shear to a digital image that will be printed on the paper, and controlling a plurality of printheads of the printing device to print the digital image on the paper with the image shear that is applied.
Abstract:
An object surface treatment system facilitates the treatment of articles of manufacture before they are printed. The system includes a chamber having walls and a lid configured to close the chamber, a flexible member mounted to the lid of the chamber, a vacuum source operatively connected to an interior volume of the chamber, and a plurality of actuators. A controller is configured to operate the actuators and vacuum source to move the applicator to apply a chemical to the flexible member, move the lid to close the chamber, produce a vacuum within the chamber and move a portion of the surface of the flexible member into engagement with a surface of an object within the chamber, cease operation of the vacuum source to enable the flexible member to return to a position adjacent the lid, and remove the lid from the chamber for removal of the object from the chamber.
Abstract:
A stretchable multi-layer assembly for transfer-printing of an associated curved object includes a stretchable carrier which defines a first outer surface of the assembly. A stretchable image is supported on the carrier. The multi-layer assembly includes an adhesive second outer surface defined by at least one of the stretchable image and an adhesive layer which is in contact with the image layer. The carrier and the stretchable image are penetrable to radiation of a wavelength which is able to cure the adhesive second outer surface for securing the assembly to the associated object.
Abstract:
A 3-D printer includes build and support material development stations that electrostatically transfer build material and support material to an ITB. The ITB transfers a layer of build and support material to a platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the ITB, to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A sensor is positioned to generate a topographic measurement of the layer on the platen, and an aerosol applicator is positioned to propel build and support material on to the layer on the platen. The aerosol applicator controls the build and support material being propelled, based on the topographic measurement from the sensor through a feedback loop, to adjust the amount and location of the build material and the support material propelled on to the layer, and thereby control the flatness of surface topology of the layers in the freestanding stack on the platen.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional (3-D) printer includes build and support material development stations positioned to transfer layers of build and support materials to an intermediate transfer surface. A platen having a flat surface is positioned to contact the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build and support materials to the flat surface of the platen as the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. A dispenser is positioned to deposit a leveling material on the layer on the platen, and a mechanical planer is positioned to contact and level the leveling material on the layer on the platen to make the top of the leveling material parallel to the flat surface of the platen.
Abstract:
An aqueous inkjet printer coats media with a material prior to printing without having to dry the material on the media. The printer includes a coating applicator for applying the material to the surface of a rotating member and a dryer for evaporating water from the material to raise its viscosity to a gel-like state. The coating is transferred to media in a nip formed between the rotating member and a roller.
Abstract:
A device includes a substrate; and a discontinuous layer disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the discontinuous layer is formed from non-contiguous drops of auxiliary fluid which do not draw back or pool on the substrate when a fluid drop is deposited thereon. A method for ink jet printing includes providing a discontinuous layer formed from drops of auxiliary fluid on a transfer member, wherein the drops of auxiliary fluid are non-contiguous and do not draw back or pool on the substrate when an ink drop is deposited thereon; ejecting ink droplets to form an ink image on the discontinuous layer; and transferring the ink jet image from the transfer member to a recording medium. An intermediate transfer member of an ink jet printer includes a substrate; and a discontinuous layer disposed on a surface of the substrate. An ink jet printer includes a transfer member; and a discontinuous layer disposed on a surface of the transfer member.
Abstract:
There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a surface layer that includes an elastomeric matrix having copper particles and carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The weight percent of the copper particles in the surface layer is from about 1 weight percent to about 30 percent. The weight percent of the carbon nanotubes is from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent.